Impressive Flemington win earns Scorched Earth crack at big dollars

Trainer John Moloney is targeting the Gold Coast with his impressive Flemington winner Scorched Earth but which race she contests remains up in the air.

Scorched Earth ridden by Damien Oliver wins the G.H. Mumm Christmas Plate at Flemington. Picture: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Distance not dollars will sway trainer John Moloney’s Magic Millions ambitions for Scorched Earth.

The brilliant filly ticked a critical box last Saturday, earning champion jockey Damien Oliver’s blessing for the Gold Coast raid with an emphatic first-up Flemington victory.

“I think we’re in a good place,” Moloney said.

“We shouldn’t let anxiety take over and just place her where she’s best suited.”

Scorched Earth is guaranteed a start in the $2m Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) with $357,125 prizemoney in the kitty, but the $1m MM Fillies and Mares (1300m) race looks more suitable.

“We don’t have to do anything, we can take our time and think about it,” Moloney said.

“We got to think a bit faster to go to the Magic Millions but there’s still plenty of races here (Melbourne).

“She‘s probably that brilliant (target Flemington straight sprints), she could do a bit longer, don’t get me wrong, the natural easy-running speed sets herself up to run shorter races.

“1200m would be no problem, whether the extra trip is capable, we’ll find out.“

Despite having a high opinion of the filly, Moloney conceded he too was taken aback on Saturday.

“She did fly, it was pretty special,” Moloney said.

“To pick up the bit and finish the race off the way she did was really exciting for us.

“I had high hopes, naturally, that she could do well, I didn’t want to get too bullish about it, but I think the way she finished the race off probably exceeded our expectations.”

Scorched Earth will not race again before the Millions mission.

"Scorched Earth searing away to win it!" 🔥🌏@[e-mail]/6bz0uypYPg

— Racing.com (@Racing) December 18, 2021

“I wouldn’t be running her again to see if she’s ready or not,” Moloney said.

“I‘d be chancing the arm of giving her a jumpout and then going to races.”

Scorched Earth, bought for $90,000 as a yearling, has won three of eight career starts.

The three-year-old daughter of Nicconi has raced and trialled on the Queensland leg, having debuted in the Magic Millions 2YO Clockwise Classic at Ballarat.

“It was only a slow beginning that didn’t allow her to do any better (than fourth on debut) and she steamed through the line that day to run a big race,” Moloney said.

“It’s always an issue (racing the other way) because you’re on a different track and a tricky track, but she is quite adaptable.”

Moloney will hope to retain Oliver, who boasts a perfect record on Scorched Earth, for the Gold Coast assignment

“I want him to ride her f he can because he’s got a really good feel for her and he likes her,” Moloney said.

“It’s only been circumstances (affiliation with Godolphin in Melbourne) he hasn’t been on her more, he’s had two rides for two wins, he’s obviously picked the right times to get on.”

Originally published as Impressive Flemington win earns Scorched Earth crack at big dollars